What can we do- chicken pox

[OutDamnPox]

So after a couple of days of tired/complaining/paleness, kids have woken up today covered in spots. Then casually mentioned that several children in their classes have got it too. It’s our half term this week so that’s all the plans cancelled.

the problem is that one of the kids has ASD and ADHD and isn’t coping with the idea of quarantining very well. I was thinking we might do a walk this afternoon. It’s a walk from our home and there’s loads of space so I would make them move as far away as possible if we saw anyone. From what I’ve read, it’s transferred by close contact so it should be ok right?

I think it’s more contagious before the spots come so it’s kinda irrelevant now. A walk would be fine.

go for it

although… are they actually well enough??

It’s likely you’ll get to the furthest point from home and the viral fatigue will hit like a hammer! I’d say a walk is fine, but half what you would normally do.

That would be fine, as soon as the scabs have healed over they aren’t infectious so it should hopefully only be for the first half of the holiday.

use calamine lotion to stop the itching and piriton if they are old enough.

you might find parents who wouldn’t mind mixing with your children, so ask around for play dates

We went for a walk when dd had chicken pox. Kept away from everyone. Just dh, dd and I. Go for it. It's very easy to avoid people.

I think that's fine if you're distancing, a bit like we did in covid. Enjoy your walk and the fresh air.

Should add a friend on hearing dd had had chicken pox told me she wishes she known as would have arranged a playdate. Enjoy the walk x

Thanks! I expected to get flamed for my selfishness! They’re fine, just covered in spots and not interested in eating. I’ll take the buggy for the littlest and do a shorter route than usual. might even do two short walks separated by lunch rather than one long one

Please Do not meet up with friends. Although chickenpox is mild for most, it isn't for everyone. You don't want to be responsible for making another child seriously unwell.

Im of the generation that held chicken pox parties. When I had it back in back in 71, the whole school had it

However dont underestimate how poorly it can make children, out of the 3 of us girls, I took it the worse and spent a good few days on the sofa whilst both sisters were fit to be outside playing

Definitely get out for a walk, short ones, and expect the kids to flake out and sleep

I know it's too late for OP but for those that haven't had it yet...

VACCINATE YOUR KIDS

Yes it costs a bit of money. Totally worth it to avoid unnecessary suffering. It's a standard vaccine in North America and across Europe

I heard the NHS are planning to introduce it soon but hasn't happened yet.

My dd currently has chickenpox, we had one night where she was literally screaming in pain because she got them in her genital area.
We've been for walks when she's felt up to it, her spots are mostly scabbed now anyway.
I used PoxClin mousse which really helped her and calpol also a head and shoulders bath.

This!
Really wish I'd got dd vaccinated

My DC, 3yo and formerly completely healthy, got chicken pox then strep as a secondary infection, then pneumonia and sepsis and nearly died, had to have a lung drained. I wish I'd got the vaccination.

Anyway. Oat bath (grind up oats and add or put in a pair of tights like a big tea bag) can help with itching.

I'd walk in woods or similar where you can avoid people.

You might think that sounds dramatic, but your judgment is seriously compromised after 3-4 nights up with a sick child overnight - plus I went to hospital and was sent home.

Chickenpox is usually mild but really, really not always.

My Dd got Strep A and Staph infections on top of chickenpox and was very, very unwell. Don’t do too much with them that they become so run down they succumb to other things. Don’t let the spots get infected by ‘everyday’ stuff (like soil) or bacteria that’s on the skin normally.

’Only’ about 20 children on average die of chickenpox in this country each year (went down during pandemic years) but it’s the secondary infections on top of chickenpox that are bad too.

Also another vote for vaccination! I do not know if this infection eventually led to Dd’s encephalitis years later.

An isolated walk isn’t an issue and rather than mixing with friends to pass it on, you might find some of their friends also are currently infected or have immunity and will be happy to play.

Don’t do warm baths as it brings out more spots. Keeping as cool as possible, don’t use ibuprofen but stock up on calpol, piriton, virasoothe, poxycilin etc (assuming safe for your children).

When DS had it, it turned into impetigo. He was fine but it got passed on to a friend's child who then developed sepsis.

I didn't catch it until I was 30 and it wasn't pleasant as an adult.

Also hit by chicken pox here, I think there's tons about. I think they need to rest for the first few days- when spots are most itchy and blistery. Once calmed down a bit I think a walk in fresh air is fine, it's only really dangerous to certain groups of people anyway.

Yep chickenpox party generation here as well. I wouldn’t worry about a walk, you are not that near to people. It’s not good for pregnant mums and you can’t fly with it, but if friends want to get it out of the way, then a play date is always good.

Not if you give it to a child that dies from chickenpox complications or is scarred or health compromised for life. I can’t believe people are so stupid. Get the vaccination instead.

Measles parties next?

Chicken pox parties 😬 it's one of those things where everyone's very "well I did it back in the day and I survived," but we don't say that anymore about cot bumpers, babies sleeping on their stomachs, forward facing car seats, no car seats whatsoever, whisky in the baby's bottle... The vaccine is very easy to procure (you can get it at pharmacies, Boots, Superdrug etc).

OP - a warm (not hot) bath with the original Head and Shoulders shampoo in it helped my kids with the itching. That plus Virasoothe and infant Piriton.